Four days ago, this blog (Seek No More) became the most expensive site to advertise on Entrecard. At 32,768 ECs, an Entrecard member who wants to advertise on Seek No More for 24 hours using a 125x 125 ad has to drop a maximum of 300 cards for 109 days.

I'm not sure what happened or what prompted advertisers to choose my site, but it definitely surprised me because I had not expected it to happen even after two years as a member. I'm dropping everyday to make bloggers more familiar with Seek No More and what it stands for and not really to attract rich EC members to advertise.

What I observed with my blog in the last four days and counting is better explained when you look at the basic economic law of supply and demand. The more EC members advertising on Seek No More, the higher is the price charged. This is assuming that all other factors such as popularity, blog category and the likes remain constant.

However, I could not find any economic theory that can help explain why anybody is willing to shell out 32,768 ECs or even 16,384 ECs for a one day ad exposure. The only possible reason I could think of why advertisers such as, Hot Graphics, Free Blogger Templates, East Coast Life, Guitarbench, Maitri's Heart, Paperkraft and My Gypsy Goods, can afford to do this is because they are trying to beat the 100K credit cap on ECs that Entrecard will start implementing on 31 March 2010. After that date, Entrecard will automatically deduct credits from users that surpassed the limit.

The change was supposed to ensure a stable credit economy, reduce outstanding credit in the system and make advertising more affordable. The inflated cost of advertising on my blog could be a temporary effect which could taper off in the coming days ahead.

I'm not sure about the figure, but I think the most expensive blog on Entrecard costs approximately 1,048,576 ECs and this happened way back in 2008. During that time, Entrecard members are trying to trim down their credits by holding contests and awarding winners with thousands of ECs. This year, no major EC contest was held, but I’m planning to throw one very soon to celebrate some notable achievements of this site.

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With the economy still in a downturn, a groups of micro-entrepreneurs took it upon themselves not to wait anymore for dole-outs from donors, but instead exerted effort to affect a change in government policy. These micro-entrepreneurs are pushing for the creation of barangay-based businesses to uplift the economy and lessen generate jobs for thousands of Filipinos.

Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran Inc. (Ang Kasangga) spokesperson Lito Trinidad, said providing business assistance to barangays would also help lessen poverty in the country.

"Today's new heroes are micro-entrepreneurs who enliven the country’s commerce and industry. Like overseas Filipino workers, they bring money to the economy," Trinidad said.

Visually Impaired Brotherhood for Excellent Services (VIBES) president Dante Tioson thanked Ang Kasangga for its micro-lending program.

VIBES now has over 40 massage clinics nationwide where its more than 500 members and their dependents work.

"Like our friends from VIBES, Filipino micro-entrepreneurs deserve not only our commendation but also our continued support to allow them to continue the role they play in enlivening the country’s economy," Trinidad said.

Ang Kasangga has received support from various organizations from micro-entrepreneurs for its bid for sectoral representation in Congress.

These are the Murphy Public Vendors and Retailers Association Inc., Novaliches Deparo Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association in Quezon City, Rizal Park Vendors Association, Silang Transport Service and Development Cooperative, Silang Market Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Guimaras Food Services and Caterers Association, Gultley Women’s Association in La Trinidad, Benguet; Plaridel Federated SEA-K Association in Misamis Occidental, Cooperative for Senior Citizen Development Cooperative in Albay, and Pedicab for Cabusao Trisikad Business Association in Camarines Sur.

"We believe that the cause and advocacy of Ang Kasangga will be better propagated and spread if the marginalized sector of micro-entrepreneurs it represents will be given a chance to participate in law-making," Trinidad said.

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While consumers across Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa are feeling more optimistic about the six months ahead, many are not letting up in terms of stocking up their coffers. According to the latest MasterCard survey on consumers’ saving priorities, over 40 percent of them are planning to save more in the coming six months compared to six months ago.

Nigeria (85 percent), the Philippines (67 percent), Indonesia (64 percent), Thailand (56 percent) and Qatar (52 percent), have the highest percentage of consumers reporting that they plan to save more in the coming six months. Kenya, on the other hand, has the highest percentage of respondents (42 percent) reporting that they plan to save less, followed closely by Lebanon (41 percent).

The survey was conducted from 1 October to 9 November 2009 and involved 10,623 consumers from across Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Three new African markets were added to this survey – Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria — bringing the total number of markets surveyed to 24.

Uncertainty over the economy and hence the need to be prepared for unforeseen emergency expenditures (74 percent) is the top reason cited by consumers who are planning to maintain or increase their level of saving in the next six months. The Philippines (91 percent) had the highest proportion of consumers concerned about the economic uncertainty, compared to Morocco (30 percent) with the lowest proportion among markets in the region.

Apart from having enough for a rainy day, the other main reasons for saving are for investing (44 percent), buying or upgrading property (37 percent) and retirement (30 percent). The majority of the region’s consumers save between 1-10 percent of their income (28 percent), followed by 11-20 percent of their income (23 percent). Five percent of the region’s consumers do not intend to save any of their income.

"From an economic perspective, saving intentions can be categorized in two distinctively different ways. The first are saving intentions that lead to future consumption, typically for large expenditures such as purchase and/or upgrade of properties, autos, and for retirement. Savings made for these purposes are therefore leading indicators of future consumption. This type of savings has continued to be a key driver of savings behavior across the Asia/Pacific region," said Dr. Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, economic advisor, Asia/Pacific, MasterCard Worldwide.

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Owners of small and medium enterprises can now choose a powered up, high speed solution that will give them the competitive edge. PLDT-SME Nation is now offering PLDT myDSL Biz high-speed Internet packages that come bundled with Apple MacBook and iMac units.

Advanced technology always gives an edge in the competitive business arena – and SMEs (small and medium-scale enterprises) can now maximize their advantage in using high-tech and high-performance Apple MacBooks and iMacs, when they avail themselves of PLDT myDSL Biz packages.

"The launch of the PLDT myDSL Biz was a great success and now we’d like to give SMEs the option to maximize their bundled hardware. For the same price and the same high-speed connection, they can now take home an Apple Macbook or an Apple iMac depending on the bundles they will be availing themselves of," says PLDT-SME Nation vice president and head Kat Luna-Abelarde.

The PLDT myDSL Biz bundled hardware-and-Internet packages include the following: high-speed broadband Internet capable of reaching speeds up to 8Mbps; an all-in-one LAN and Wi-Fi router Biz Box; up to four PCs; and a laptop. The bundled laptops and PCs are now upgradeable to laptops and desktops from Apple.

"The various packages offered by PLDT myDSL Biz reduce the cost of doing business, potentially giving more revenues and widening any entrepreneur’s reach to a global scale. We're not just talking about speed. The PLDT myDSL Biz packages show how you can streamline your operations while lowering your cost," says PLDT-SME Nation marketing head Amil Azurin.

The different Small Biz and Powerpack packages are specifically designed to meet the connectivity needs of businesses in different levels. The Small Biz packages cater to smaller businesses while the Powerpacks are for more advanced businesses that need faster broadband speeds.

"The new myDSL Biz packages still have the same fast speed Internet connectivity to extremely speedy performances that SMEs choose from, but now with the option to go for an Apple laptop," says Azurin.

The packages are competitively priced and affordable for SMEs. The Small Biz Sr. is priced at PhP 14,500 bundled with the choice of an Apple MacBook.

The Powerpack packages are priced at PhP 20,000 for the Powerpack A at 6Mbps with an Apple MacBook and a PC desktop; PhP 35,000 for the Powerpack B at 7Mbps with an Apple iMac and a PC desktop; and PhP 50,000 for the Powerpack C at 8Mbps with an Apple MacBook Pro and a PC desktop.

Aside from their high-speed capability, the new PLDT myDSL Biz also comes bundled with a high-tech Biz Box, an all-in-one modem device.

The Biz Box comes complete with a DSL modem, Wi-Fi router, four Ethernet ports, two voice ports, and two USB ports. It offers both wired and wireless networking for PCs.

"With the inclusion of the Biz Box in the myDSL Biz packages, SMEs not only get competitive high-speed connection but a reliable all-in-one router capable of efficiently running the bundled peripherals," says PLDT-SME Nation product manager Christian Lim

The Biz Box is already a wireless LAN router so there’s no need to purchase a wireless or fixed line router for businesses’ networking requirements.

With all the bundled hardware, new MacBook packages, and high-speed Internet connectivity, PLDT myDSL Biz is the perfect partner and the premium choice for a high-performance yet cost-effective solution for any business.

For more information on what PLDT-SME Nation offers businesses, call 101-888 or visit www.pldtsme-nation.com.ph.

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This is one good news for many small and medium-sized clothing and apparel companies. Brother International, one of the leaders in home and business IT and sewing peripherals, just developed a new revolution in the sewing and embroidery industry by expanding its wide range of sewing and embroidery products with the introduction of NV1 Creativity Times 4.

Launched in conjunction with Brother's 102 years of achievement in incomparable technology, the NV1 was developed to commemorate this celebration with 102 unprecedented and improved features.

Slowly being termed as 'The Dream Machine,' the NV1 fulfils one's passion with groundbreaking sewing, embroidery, quilting and crafting capabilities.

"Brother continues to pursue cutting-edge technology with the next generation in sewing and embroidery by launching the NV1. This machine aims to realize the creativity and innovative thinking of those who desire to create an art piece beyond one's imagination," says Toshiaki Isayama, president of Brother International Philippines Corp.

Targeting at avid crafters, hobbyists and aspiring entrepreneurs, the NV1 has the unique Print and Stitch technology to create a three-dimensional (3D) art piece.

With a customized embroidery by NV1and a printed background with a Brother inkjet All-in-One also known as a Multi-Function Center (MFC), one can transform this 3D art into a decorative portrait, a pattern on a T-shirt and more.

Those with no knowledge in sewing and embroidery will find it a breeze with the NV1. It is easy to use and has an automated sewing technology that enables the user to select the desired creative on the wide-angle color touch-screen, high-definition LCD display.

It is also the first machine in the industry to have a built-in camera above the needle to position exactly where one wants it to be and a magnified view of the needle area.

Embroidery for beginners becomes effortless with the machine's ability to identify the area and orientation of the embroidery by the placement of a 'Snowman' sticker on the embroidery hoop. The NV1 has up to 601 exclusive built-in embroidery designs to choose from.

The machine consists of three USB ports, including a high-speed 2.0 port to import customized creative work to expand the collections of embroidery designs. It also comes with a threading needle system.

Alternatively, the NV1 appeals to experienced users with other advanced features. It has a Runway Lighting, which is equivalent to the power of 56 standard LED lights with 10 inches of full-spectrum lighting surrounding the needle area, convenient for any lighting environment and reduces eyestrain.

Upon selection of the desired embroidery, designs are rendered three times faster than previous models, equating to faster completion.

With a larger workspace of almost 50 square inches, one has the ability to sew with the embroidery arm attached, which is a time-saving convenience.

The NV1 is equipped with advanced quilting featured including a three free-motion quilting feet and adjustable presser foot height to make free-motion quilting and pivoting easier on any types of fabric.

The NV1 includes a six-month warranty and is available in Philippines at a recommended retail price of PhP 280,000.

The products can be purchased through Brother International Philippines authorized resellers and are supported by the Brother Customer Service Center located at the ground level of Marajo Tower, 4th Avenue corner 26 St., West Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. It is opened Mondays to Fridays, from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., and on Saturdays, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

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The fear of flying may be common to many, but the fear of frying isn't uncommon among moms.

This doesn't mean that one should just surrender. Like most moms who personally prepare meals for their family, there are a lot of things that could go wrong when frying especially when not done right.

Riz Silva de Leon, 45, enjoys cooking dinner for her family.

"Frying is quite easy when mastered, but there's always the risk. More often than not, food is sometimes undercooked or worse burned," says De Leon.

Choose the right cooking oil. When it comes to frying, it's best to use cooking oil that has a high temperature tolerance. Oil's heat tolerance is relative to when it starts to smoke. Here, oil has reached its maximum usable temperature and affects the frying process. When oil starts to smoke, its flavor and nutrition quality decreases. The oil with high smoke points is less likely to lose its quality easily.

Keep in mind that frying is dry cooking. When frying, food should be dry enough to prevent extreme oil sputter. Pad meat with paper towels or tissue to absorb any excess moisture before placing in oil. This process solves most burns that moms fear with frying. Another way to deal with oil sputters is to keep the pan’s lid within arm's reach to easily cover it when sputters become uncontrollable.

Choose a pan deep enough for the food you are frying. Make sure that your pan's depth is similar to the average thickness of the meat or food you’re frying. For example, a skillet’s rim should be high enough to prevent the spitting oil to reach the flames underneath the pan. This is a major reason why oil catches fire and causes most domestic fire incidents.

Knowing your oil's readiness for frying. A good way to know if your oil is ready for frying is to simply place your palm just a few inches above the pan. Once you feel heat emanating from the oil, then it's ready for cooking. Palm oil has a high smoke point, which means it won’t smoke for a longer period of time when heated compared with coconut oil.

Do not overcrowd your pan. Frying should be done in batches. Too many ingredients thrown may change the temperature of both the pan and the oil. Have a good ventilation system in the kitchen. Burnt cooking oil usually cause smoky kitchens. Do not let smoke clog up your kitchen as too much can actually cause suffocation.

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